Observations of a Warrior Poet. T. John Mattson

that many minorities of color and creed

      Have suffered greatly to their ruin.

      Parity, respect—

      Are these values so remote?

      Can differences be overcome,

      With no one stranded or left afloat?

      It’s true that no two share

      The same mind, the same face,

      Yet to always remember this truth…

      We’re all residents of the human race.

      The Law

      The rule of law,

      It is often said,

      Is the backbone of our system,

      Universal to all, our leaders and the led.

      However, one symbol shows both

      Its strength and its needs.

      The lady, a statue and blindfolded,

      Perhaps not seeing all deeds.

      This blindness,

      Manifested through money and power,

      Has shown to many, great injustice,

      Certainly not our finest hour.

      As one hopes to see change

      Through the ridicule and derision,

      Maybe only then can this system

      Restore some lost vision.

      Word

      The spoken word has immense power

      As it conveys.

      Its message may be infinitely broad,

      Though often, it changes ways.

      With its inherent freedoms,

      There is also a great cost,

      Since some will find direction,

      Others will be lost.

      Here it seems especially important

      That one possesses a discerning ear,

      Since some talk…

      Not always thoughtful or measured—

      Approaches with some fear.

      Times like this, when one ignores,

      Those words’ power lose their weight.

      Now empty and without inertia,

      Deaf ears victorious, without the hate.

      The Panhandler

      I see the older man weekly,

      As he hustles and scrounges

      For some coin.

      He solicits in a kind and humble way,

      Avoiding all desire to purloin.

      Most that pass by him realize

      His life is lived simply,

      Hand to mouth!

      While any likely future opportunities

      Have evaded and gone south.

      Maybe the next time you walk by,

      Try to think of him beyond the image

      Of a downtrodden bum.

      While he mooches a bit,

      Sponges for more…

      Forging his survival, through

      Various landscapes or slum.

      CHAPTER 2

      “My political voice began to jump, with so much material, I wrote of Trump.”

      Politics

      As two or more groups get together,

      And try to influence one another,

      Complications seem to mount, agreements

      Become elusive, even among brothers.

      These people of power and voice

      Often forget their priorities,

      Looking more like novice frat boys and

      Sisters of sororities.

      Only through flexibility and clarity

      Can a compromise emerge and prevail.

      As minds come together and

      Conflicts erode, common goals will not derail.

      Most important of all, they must be

      Involved and not blind

      To the issues that surround, no matter

      How difficult one might find.

      Legislat—Or?

      There was a time, long ago,

      Where those chosen to lead us

      Were respected, admired, and revered.

      Nowadays, this trend seems to have shifted…

      Those politically powerful

      Are often hated or feared.

      This change in perception manifest slowly.

      It didn’t just happen overnight.

      Many years were needed here as this

      Brew fermented, with a vintage clearly in sight.

      What’s been seen over the years are statesmen

      Who’ve acquired amnesia toward those they work for,

      Becoming allied to varied special interests,

      As if those groups are impossible to ignore.

      As a nation already having great diversity,

      It would seem unnecessary,

      To add fuel to the fire and divide.

      Many are expecting more from their elected,

      The need for integrity through the rough,

      Political waters, while navigating

      To the unified.

      The Trump Card

      This event evolved to a unique spectacle,

      With history’s promise to record

      The brazen newcomer, and a former first lady,

      Verbally sparring to be the new lord.

      This political process can become ugly,

      Causing many to turn away.

      Yet the effect cannot be ignored,

      As people’s votes seem to sway.

      So how was it possible, this victory made,

      Through all the division and the hate?

      Seems that focusing on certain fears and prior glories…

      It becoming our current fate.

      Bipartisan Memo to Potus

      Date: June 2017

      To: President Trump, aka The Donald

      Decisions made recently have been divisive,

      And quite frankly, more difficult to support.

      All the while, many heads have been left scratching,

      Wondering